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Voters will cast ballots using new machines

By Mike Reuther 2 min read
The ClearCast Ballot Scanner.

Lycoming County residents going to the polls on Tuesday will cast paper ballots using the ClearVote voting system.

The new technology is expected to make the voting process more secure.

The process for voters begins when they mark their choices for candidates on the paper ballots provided at the county's 85 precincts. Candidates are listed on the front and back of each ballot.

Voters then insert the ballot into the slot of the ClearCast scanner.

In two to three seconds, the monitor of the device will indicate if the vote is cast.

If too many selections are made, the voter will be alerted with the following message: "You have selected more choices than allowed in the following contests. No vote will be counted for these contests. You can submit as-is or have it returned and start over with a new ballot."

After a ballot is filled out, it is scanned and goes into a ballot bag.

The ballots are secured so they can't be tampered with, ensuring the validity of the votes.

"There is also a device for people with disabilities," said Forrest Lehman, director of voter services. "It prints a marked paper ballot that still has to be scanned in."

Overall, Lehman said people have mixed reactions about the new technology.

"Some people were never completely comfortable with what had been used," he added.

A complete demonstration of the new voting process can be found online at www.lyco.org.

In April 2018, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security informed all counties they must select new voting systems that provide a paper record and meet standards of security, auditability and accessibility no later than Dec. 31, and preferably have a system in place by this year's general election.

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